Maximise space and light in your home with these handy tips on what to consider before starting your loft conversion design.
A loft conversion is a cost-effective way of adding light and living space to your family home as well as increasing the value of your home up to 20%. Choosing a loft conversion design can be tricky and there are a number of points to consider before you take the plunge. Whether you have a clear idea of what you’re looking for or you’re still firmly in the pondering phase, Oakwood Lofts can help you to create the space that you are dreaming of.
- Have you got the space?We have decades of loft conversion experience and one of the questions we are asked most frequently is whether a customer’s loft is big enough for a conversion. And the answer, very often, is yes! Ideally, we look for a minimum head height of 2.3m, although obstacles like chimneys or water tanks, as well as the pitch of the roof, can also affect a conversion.
- The options for low loftsIf your loft has a lower head height, there are still some options that you can consider. You may be able to remove or modify certain sections of the roof to give you more space, but this could be subject to planning permission. Alternatively, it may be possible to lower the ceilings in the room below to give you additional height. All of these elements will affect your loft conversion price.
- Design for your spaceIf your loft conversion is on the smaller side, it’s time to embrace it. Create a cosy space, incorporating the size of your loft. It’s a good idea to plan your furniture at the same time so that you can make sure everything will fit. Don’t forget to figure out how you’re going to get everything into the loft as well!
- Adding light to your loftA loft conversion usually involves adding additional windows to your home. As a general rule, glazing should make up 20 per cent of the roof area if you’re keen to maximise natural light. The shape of your roof is likely to guide the placement of your windows, with a longer room benefiting from evenly spaced windows along its length but a narrow, deeper one will be served best by a single large window.
- Do I need planning permission?Adding up to 40m³ in a terraced house, or 50 m³ in a detached or semi-detached house is seen as ‘permitted development’ and doesn’t usually require planning permission. If you are substantially changing the outside of your home, further planning permission may be required.
- Add the space that you loveThe way that we live is changing and sometimes our homes don’t reflect this. Often our loft conversion ideas can redress this balance. Perhaps you’re tired of the neverending queue outside of the only bathroom every morning and would like to add a stylish new bathroom in the loft. It could be that the family has outgrown the number of available bedrooms and it’s time to add more. Loft conversions are also an excellent opportunity to add more living space, including playrooms, studies and teenage dens.
We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now know what to consider before starting your loft conversion design. Talk to our experts here at Oakwood Lofts about your next project.
